John John Florence may go down in history as the final competitor to win the Eddie with Quiksilver as the title sponsor. Photo: Zak Noyle
Quiksilver has dropped its sponsorship of the famed big wave contest best known as “the Eddie,” leaving the future of the event unknown.
But why, and could the Eddie still run this winter?
Representatives of the Aikau family have stated that its dispute with the company was not rooted in money. Quiksilver begs to differ. In a press release sent out Monday, the company said that its “multiple offers of substantially increased monetary support for future events were declined by agents of the Aikau family over months of negotiations.”
In light of the recent news about the Quik-Aikau split, it appeared that the possibility of the Eddie running this winter was obliterated. But Quiksilver is offering to give the family its permit, “and stand by to run the event with the family if they so choose,” says Pierre Agnes, Quiksilver’s Chief Executive Officer, in the press release.
It isn’t clear what involvement Quik might have if the Eddie does run this winter. But giant surf in Waimea Bay isn’t the only variable that may determine that. There’s also the city and county of Honolulu, which says it’s too late to issue another permit.
City representatives told reporters over the weekend that they met with the Aikaus. “We have looked at it from every angle,” they said, “and for the 2016-2017 season, the permit process has closed. It was closed in 2015.”
Quik’s press release suggests that the company sought a long-term agreement that the family apparently could not stomach.
“It was Quiksilver’s sincere hope to continue growing its investment in The Eddie and in the community, and Quiksilver was prepared to commit to a long-term sponsorship of the event. But ultimately, an agreement could not be reached with the new representatives managing the event for the Aikaus,” said Quik representative Garry Wall.
